Splat   980 pts.  |   Jul 15 2009  2:08PM GMT

Why bother with requiring a field exit? The system will align the data in the field whether you require a CHECK(RZ) / CHECK(RB) or not, and data entry isn’t really improved by requiring it.

WilsonAlano   2005 pts.  |   Jul 15 2009  4:30PM GMT

Fields are not aligned on entry without exit field key, they will be on output with format (edit code or edit word). IMHO, visually talking, exit field key can help users a lot.

Wilson

WilsonAlano   2005 pts.  |   Jul 15 2009  4:32PM GMT

Just for info, we use “field exit” on all our green screen and we use JScript to align fields on web pages to help readability.

Wilson

LeslieL   40 pts.  |   Jul 16 2009  2:39PM GMT

Another consideration is that field exit turns on the modified data tag of the field while tab does not. Of course, if you enter data and tab, the MDT is turned on as well.

Splat   980 pts.  |   Jul 17 2009  3:18PM GMT

The only thing a field exit key gets you on numeric input is a visual before you press Enter. Otherwise it’s just more overhead. The system will perform decimal alignment on the numeric input in the input buffer whether CHECK(RZ) / CHECK(RB) are specified or no.

WilsonAlano   2005 pts.  |   Jul 17 2009  6:00PM GMT

Splat,

Field exit key does not generate overhead because it’s managed by the emulator/controller and system does not receives any data or command when you use it. And visual effect is very important!

Wilson

Splat   980 pts.  |   Jul 21 2009  6:00PM GMT

Wilson,

In my experience the users don’t really care if the data is aligned on entry, just when it’s re-displayed.

My main objection to CHECK(RZ) / CHECK(RB) is that they require a field exit key be used, which can be a pain.

I agree that presentation is important (something too few developers take into account), but I also prefer to minimise the amount of work necessary.

YuVa47   210 pts.  |   Jul 22 2009  2:05PM GMT

Splat,

so what is the difference to use field exit or tab? The user have to hit some key anyway. If you want to use tab is OK, but then you have to take care of the field allignement in your program.

Vatchy   650 pts.  |   Jul 22 2009  3:13PM GMT

In my experience, if you have a numeric field and you type in a few numbers - left justified just like text - and don’t press Field-Exit then you will get a number with trailing zeros instead of leading zeros. IOW, you will get 534200000 instead of 000005342.